In 1892 a minister by the name of Francis Bellamy penned the words of what we now call The Pledge of Allegiance. It was first published with the instructions below in the ‘Youth’s Companion’ that same year:

At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is given; every pupil gives the flag the military salute — right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it. Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.” At the words, “to my Flag,” the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side.

While there have been additions to the Pledge of Allegiance and some changes in how we salute, the intention has always been the same. To pledge our dedication and commitment to all that America has to offer and to protect and show gratitude for those blessings. Recently, a school in Florida who wants to have the students perform the pledge every morning has had to start sending out a strange piece of paper regarding the Pledge of Allegiance.

A man whose niece attends the school got hold of the paper and saw that it was a waiver to bow out of saying the pledge. That man, Micah Brienen shared a picture of it on his facebook page and it went viral. It asked parents who want their child excused from reciting the pledge to sign and return the waiver. It reads: “I understand my rights as a parent and I request that my child, noted above, be excused from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. This request includes standing and placing his/her right hand over his/her heart.”

Brienen took a picture of what his sister-in-law wrote on the paper before sending it back to school: “This is the dumbest thing I have ever read and I am so ashamed of this.”

It is sad that a waiver from the pledge is necessary. Growing up there were a couple Jehovas Witness friends who remained at their desk during the pledge. They also stay out of ALL politics and celebrations. It’s a statement showing their devotion to God in their own way. But this new culture where people refuse to show gratitude for the land they live in or refuse to show respect for it is a whole other ballgame. That is a statement against the United States or against God. I appreciate why the school sends out the waiver because they don’t want to allow children just to bow out because they want to, they want the parents to decide what’s best for their child. I am sad and ashamed for the parents who would sign this and show such ingratitude and disrespect to the great Nation in which we live. This picture went so viral that it also ended up on Fox News. WATCH the whole story here:

A Tea Party activist who worked on four National bus Tours and created Mega Rallies across the country. She has worked with conservative stars like Sarah Palin, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Andrew Breitbart and others.